[VIDEO] Over 1,000 attend Mooncake Festival, illuminating Malaysia-China Friendship Park with lanterns

Photo taken during Mooncake Festival 2024 celebration at Malaysia-China Friendship Park, Kuching on Sept 17, 2024.

By Shikin Louis

KUCHING, Sept 18: Over 1,000 members of the public lit up Malaysia-China Friendship Park or ‘Taman Sahabat’ here with colorful lanterns in conjunction with the Mooncake Festival celebration last night (Sept 17).

As early as 6.30pm, families, friends and community members strolling through the park started to queue up to receive the free lanterns.

Dr Sim (second row, sixth left), Wee (on his right) and others photographed during the Mooncake Festival 2024 celebration at Malaysia-China Friendship Park, Kuching on Sept 17, 2024.

Upon the arrival of Kuching South City Council (MBKS) mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng at 7.20pm, he began giving away the free lanterns to the public.

The celebration was further enlivened by the presence of Sarawak’s Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, who led a parade of lanterns circling the park.

A high pole lion dance performance also took place after the parade, leaving the participants, especially young children, in awe.

The successful celebration was made possible thanks to the joint effort of MBKS, Lion City Singapore Hainan Chicken Rice Sdn Bhd for sponsoring 800 lanterns and Chinese Martial Art Association (CMAA) for organising a high pole lion dance performance.

Wee (left) presents a lantern to a participant during the event.

Speaking to reporters after the event, Wee said Dr Sim has agreed in principle to increase the amount of lights in the park.

“Of course, those lights will be very environmentally friendly.

“The second thing is we are going to put up a floating music fountain here; 15-feet running. Hopefully we can do that before the end of the year,” he said.

Watch the video of the celebration here. — DayakDaily

A man dressed in a traditional Chinese costume during the Mooncake Festival 2024 celebration at Malaysia-China Friendship Park, Kuching.

A Muslim girl holds up a lantern as she joined in the festivities at the park.

A little girl is seen holding up two lanterns during the celebration.

A young girl holds up her unique jellyfish-design lantern.